adjective
-
not deserved
-
not yet earned
Etymology
Origin of unearned
Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; un- 1, earn 1, -ed 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Kiddie Tax can apply to unearned income for certain children under 24, making it partly taxed at the parents’ rate.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
Spears says of their Prodigal Son-inspired short, “It’s our way of showing how far God would go, across the divide. Everyone can identify with the idea of forgiveness and unearned grace.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026
Imposters like Jonathan Carley, who was fined £500 for dressing as a rear admiral without permission, complete with an array of impressive but unearned medals he bought online.
From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026
That means any earnings from a Trump account will be included in the child’s total unearned income and taxed for the year if withdrawn before he or she turns age 59 ½.
From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025
He gave me an unearned high five when the coach finally blew the whistle ending class.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
